5 Landscaping Design Tips to Save Energy and Money at Home

One of the secrets to saving money on your air conditioning costs this summer is with landscaping. In fact, energy specialists say that planting various deciduous plants around the perimeter of the home can create a “green zone” that can block out heat and warm winds, thus saving homeowners up to 40% on their utility bills. In fact, a single shade tree can actually have the cooling power of up to 15 air conditioners and a well placed tree can help to save up to 25% on energy bills. However, you can’t just start planting without a well thought out plan. The trick to saving money with landscaping is to have forethought and a carefully laid out strategy. Here are 5 landscaping design tips to save energy and money at home.

1. If you decide to plant a large tree, make sure that your positioning is right. Typically on the south side of our homes is where the most sunlight and warmth pours in, so it is important to plant larger trees on that side of the house. When you do plant a tree it is important to also mind the distance of the roots so that you don’t end up damaging your home.
2. Mind the height of the tree. There are plenty of trees that take up to 50 or more years just to reach the height of your home. However, there are plenty of fast growing trees that will tower over your home in less than a few years. These trees can end up providing shade for the roof, which is usually the most important part of the house to shade.
3. Plant vines. Vines, either on a trellis or free growing, can provide a shield of sorts for your home against warm winds and heat. Moreover, some vines can actually absorb the heat and disperse it as moisture, thus creating a cooling barrier around the home. It is important, though, to choose a genus of vine that isn’t too heavy for your home, because some vines can actually be dangerous to the infrastructure.
4. Plant trees or shrubs that can partially cover your outdoor air conditioning system. Not only can this be a great aesthetic choice, but it can also provide natural insulation and shade to your outdoor cooling unit to make it run much more efficiently. You can find Mitsubishi ductless dealers to install an outdoor/indoor unit, which is usually much more efficient than systems that require ducts and vents.
5. Lastly, plant a hedge on the south or west side of the house to create a shield against warm winds. A hedge with the proper height and width can make your home more energy efficient and can save you up to 25% on your next energy bill. Not only can hedges provide a heat shield, but the wind that passes underneath and through them can be cooled, thus creating a totally natural fanning system that can drastically lower the temperatures in your home, thus reducing your need to rely on the air conditioner.